The Sparks Foundation
The Sparks Foundation is a private foundation, based in Columbia, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $401K. Net investment income was $329K.
The Sparks Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sparks Foundation gave $401K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $80K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $401,000
- +22.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -76.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $80,200
- +415.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $7,279,001
- +13.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Sparks Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was America First Policy Institute ($375K). Together the top 5 received $401K.
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 93 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Sparks Foundation gives
- Giving grew 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $242K (2022) to $401K (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $401K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| America First Policy Institute Washington, DC | To Support the Organizations Mission. | $375,000 |
| Family Is Everything Nashville, TN | To support the Organization's mission. | $10,000 |
| Operation Light Shine Hermitage, TN | To support the Organization's mission. | $10,000 |
| Covenant Church of Heber Springs Heber Springs, AR | To Support the Church's Mission | $5,000 |
| Ambassador Services International Franklin, TN | to support the organization's mission. | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,279,001 | $389,194 | $468,683 | $401,000 | 5 | $401,000 | $329,291 | $315,033 |
| 2023 | $6,424,463 | $999,885 | $374,120 | $326,791 | 21 | $326,791 | $999,885 | $271,165 |
| 2022 | $5,178,287 | $-114,777 | $293,771 | $241,500 | 23 | $241,500 | $62,913 | $258,258 |
| 2021 | $6,488,475 | $260,108 | $362,478 | $329,016 | 32 | $329,016 | $257,965 | $279,251 |
| 2020 | $5,793,160 | $465,171 | $285,618 | $260,316 | 12 | — | $465,171 | $233,188 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sparks Foundation reported a distributable amount of $315K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sparks Foundation is led by Robert D Sparks, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert D Sparks
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Sparks Foundation
How much does The Sparks Foundation give each year?
The Sparks Foundation gave $401K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $327K across 21 grants.
What is The Sparks Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sparks Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $80,200, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sparks Foundation give grants?
The Sparks Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Tennessee (5%).
Does The Sparks Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Sparks Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support the Organization's Mission." (3 grants).
Who are The Sparks Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sparks Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include America First Policy Institute ($375,000), Family Is Everything ($10,000) and Operation Light Shine ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Sparks Foundation?
The Sparks Foundation reported $7.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $401K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $315K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Sparks Foundation's EIN?
The Sparks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7029788. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Sparks Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sparks Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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